Though many seniors at Coral Gables Senior High believe being accepted into top-ranked universities is something they can only dream of, it is actually not as impossible as one might think. With the Questbridge Scholarship Program, students’ dreams are turned into reality. This year, the scholarship was awarded to four seniors, one being Amalia Garrido, who is looking forward to a bright future at Emory University.
A Questbridge Scholarship is highly desirable because it provides many benefits to those who make less than $65,000 a year. Scholarship recipients are granted admission to one of 50 college partners with a full ride four-year scholarship to their matched university. Over $200,000 is provided to the select winners, as their entire college experience is covered for them.
“This scholarship has opened up so many opportunities for me. Knowing this early on that I can go to college for free is extremely relieving, and I’m really proud of myself for making it this far. I’ve already met so many new people, and because of that, I already know what I want to do with my future. I don’t know where I would be right now had I not applied for the Questbridge Scholarship,” senior Amalia Garrido said.
The program is especially helpful to those in need of financial aid and career guidance. The scholarship provides students who might otherwise not be able to afford college the opportunity to pursue their academic goals, worry free. It is quite common for students to struggle when choose a career path, but with the support of Questbridge, this tough decision is made easier. Former Questbridge scholarship winners have formulated the Questbridge Alumni Association, in which new winners are given the chance to ask questions about their future. For many, this career guidance is invaluable because not every student entering college has a specific major in mind.
Garrido began her application for the Questbridge Scholarship during her junior year. Inspired by the advice of College Assistant Advisor, Ms. Sanz, she was eager to apply to the program. After contacting her counselors and writing countless essays, her application was finally sent in September. Later on, she received an email from Questbridge: she had been placed on the finalist list. Garrido then traveled to Emory University, located in Atlanta, Ga. for a conference, a chance to meet other finalists. While there, she walked around campus, introduced herself to different professors and gained a feeling of what the university was all about.
“When I went to Emory my eyes were opened up to a whole new world. There is a great program for my major, communications and marketing, and I’m looking forward to seeing what their classes will offer me. Atlanta is a really young city, and I’m really happy that I get to experience college life outside of Florida,” senior Garrido said.
As a senior in the International Baccalaureate program, Garrido is involved in many activities, her most influential role being Editor-in-Chief of the Cavaleon, the school’s yearbook. She takes on that position with enthusiasm and is prepared to lead her team. Being in the class since freshmen year, she realized that the skills developed in her leadership role would be beneficial for her future profession. Yearbook was the driving force behind Garrido’s decision to major in communications and marketing at the college level.
“After my first year in yearbook I realized just how much I enjoy design. I love creating my own projects and seeing them come to life. But especially during all of this time I’ve grown into myself. I’ve learned so much from yearbook, and I know that I’m going to continue to learn a lot in college,” senior Garrido said.
She was also president of Gables Earth during her junior year; however, she geared her focus and effort into creating the perfect yearbook. Involved in environmental sustainability, she is also the co-founder of CavsCloset, a pop-up thrift store on campus.
Though her schedule is tight, she also makes time to participate in sports. Garrido plans to continue being on the track team once the season starts in January. Despite her involvement in many extracurricular activities, she has continued to excel academically.
“Amalia has grown tremendously since her start at Gables, and I think Cavaleon has played a big role in that. From being a staff writer to now being Editor-in-Chief, she really has become a confident leader. She is a perfect fit for Emory, and I know she is going to do amazing in anything she pursues later on,” Yearbook Advisor Ms. Zuniga said.
Thanks of the Questbridge Program, Garrido is ready to take on Atlanta. Excited to pursue her major, communications and marketing, she is looking forward to the next four years. By attending such a prestigious university, Garrido hopes that doors will open for her in public relations after her graduation. At Emory, she intends to make the most of her college experience by studying hard while still finding time to explore the city and create new relationships.
